Jan 27, 2009

World - India has no better friend than U.S.: Obama

Washington: United States President Barack Obama has asserted that Indians have “no better friend and partner” than the Americans and their “shared values” enabled the two countries meet any challenge, particularly from those who “use violence to try to undermine our free and open societies.”

Mr. Obama, who was extending his “warmest greetings” to the Indian people on the occasion of Republic Day, said: “Together, we celebrate our shared belief in democracy, liberty, pluralism and religious tolerance.”

In a message, he said: “As the Indian people celebrate Republic Day all across India, they should know that they have no better friend and partner than the people of the United States.”

Mr. Obama, who calls India a natural ally of the U.S., said:

“It is our shared values that form the bedrock of a robust relationship across peoples and governments. Those values and ideals provide the strength that enables us to meet any challenge, particularly from those who use violence to try to undermine our free and open societies.” — PTI